PSG reveal truth behind Virgil van Dijk conversation | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain have denied that there was any deeper meaning to a recent conversation between senior club officials and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk was seen chatting to PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos in the tunnel at Anfield following last week’s decisive Champions League last 16 second leg.

Even in ordinary circumstance such an encounter would have had people jumping to conclusions about the Dutchman being schmoozed by PSG. But with his Liverpool contract rapidly nearing its expiration and no new deal forthcoming, speculation has been even more rife.

Van Dijk is moving towards free agency this summer – recently confirming he hasn’t made a decision about his future – and is already eligible to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs.

But PSG media director Pascal Ferry has played down the significance of the discussion.

"I don't understand why this video has caused such a huge controversy on social media. The conversation between Van Dijk and the club president, as well as the sporting director, was completely natural and spontaneous,” he told 365 Scores.

"Our president did not discuss any negotiations to sign the player, and everything rumoured in this regard is false. The discussion was friendly, and the president has the utmost respect for Van Dijk."

Van Dijk has also been linked with Real Madrid, who have been short on centre-backs this season and are reported to be considering a number of options, including RB Leipzig's Castello Lukeba and Arsenal's William Saliba – all at very different stages of their respective careers.

Liverpool are weighing up their next chapter beyond Van Dijk, who will celebrate his 34th birthday this summer. Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck is the latest player linked in that respect, with ongoing links with breakthrough Bournemouth talent Dean Huijsen.